Defence Minister Ștefan Radu Oprea said on Monday on TVR 1 that Russia’s potential threat remains long-term and that both NATO and Romania must prepare. He referred to conclusions from the NATO summit in Ankara which, in his reading, cast Russia as a potential long-term adversary — even if, he noted, “enemy” was not necessarily the word used.

“From that perspective, yes, Russia’s potential threat remains long-term and then NATO must prepare, Romania must prepare,” Oprea said, according to Mediafax.

Asked whether Romania could hold alone for 72 hours against a possible Russian aggression, the minister answered yes but stressed the Alliance umbrella: “We are not alone, we are in NATO. (…) NATO is present in Romania.”

Oprea pointed to allied forces on Romanian soil, including US and French troops, as concrete benefits of NATO membership for Romanians. The remarks come amid eastern-flank tensions and Alliance talks on long-term deterrence.

The minister’s message is continuous readiness, not a new operational announcement: he affirms a national 72-hour hold capacity while tying Romania’s security to allied forces already deployed in the country.

Source: Ștefan Radu Oprea: Romania and NATO must prepare for Russia’s long-term threat (Goldring); confirmation: Russia’s threat remains long-term (Mediafax)